§ 7. Mr. Ainsleyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the proposal of the local executive council for a change in Upper Weardale, County Durham, from doctors' practice to group practice, the additional mileage in travel involved by this proposal and the local opposition to it; and if he will reconsider the decision.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)The executive council has not reached a decision on the doctors' proposal to alter their places and times of attendance.
§ Mr. AinsleyWill the Minister keep in mind the protest of the local authority, the letter of protest from the vicar on behalf of his parishioners in this area, and many letters of protest I am receiving on behalf of people in Upper Weardale about the proposal of the doctor to move from Upper Weardale to form a joint practice lower down in Weardale? Will he take into consideration the high altitude of this area in the Pennine range and that it is snowbound in winter time, and also the cases of emergency which have to be dealt with?
§ Miss PittI am aware of all those points. I think the hon. Member is aware that the executive council responsible in this matter has met the rural district council and the rural district council in turn has had meetings with the doctors. The position now is that the executive council is to review the matter in six months' time.
§ Mr. AinsleyI have had a communication from the executive council that it came to a decision last Thursday.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is some difficulty in giving counter-information at Question Time.
§ Mr. AinsleyIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.